Bergen Hotel Tips by FletteMette

I stayed at Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret in January 2008. Havnekontoret means "the harbour office" - and the hotel is, of course, situated by the harbour in the centre of Bergen (near Bryggen and Mariakirken). The airport bus stops right outside the hotel (the last stop on the Flesland - Bergen route).

Havnekontoret is a fairly new hotel, it opened in 2006 - in a totally renovated building from ca 1920. Many of the rooms have got perfect views of the harbour and towards mount Fløyen. (We also had a seagull pet (!) - a huge seagull kept walking about outside our window, knocking on the window with his beak:o) (See pic #5!)

We stayed in a standard double room, which had a quite different, contemporary (but far from minimalist!) decor, in velvety brown and purple colours. The bed was *very*comfy, quite possibly the best hotel bed I've ever slept in. Amenities included a flat screen TV, DVD player, minibar, tea & coffee making facilities, iron / ironing board... Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel - get an access code from the reception. Note that the door to your room does not lock automatically - you have to insert your key when leaving to lock it.

The (spotlessly clean!) bathroom was very nice - and even had a bathtub, which isn't always the case in Norwegian hotels. (Be aware that there's a partially see-through sliding glass door between the bathroom and the bedroom.)

The room rates here vary quite a bit - I've found the best deals on the hotel's own website. Havnekontoret is among the pricier hotels in Bergen, but it is also my favourite of the Bergen hotels I've stayed in.

Unique Qualities: Like all Clarion Collection hotels, Havnekontoret offers free waffles in the afternoon - and a small evening buffet is also included in your room rate. The evening meal usually consists of 1-2 hot dishes (meatballs and grilled salmon when we were there), in addition to salad, bread, cheese, cold cuts... The breakfast buffet was very nice, like in most Scandinavian hotels in this price range - various breads, cereals, crispbread and crackers, cheese, meats, yoghurt, fruits, eggs, bacon, salads... and of course some Norwegian specialties, such as kaviar and brunost - brown cheese. (more on my Norway page)

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 47-55 60 11 00
Address: Slottsgaten 1, 5003 Bergen
Directions: By the harbour in central Bergen - close to Bryggen and Mariakirken. A 5-minute walk from the fish market.
Website: http://www.choicehotels.no/hotels/hotel?hotel=NO097&language=en
Other Contact: cc.havnekontoret@choice.no

I stayed at Hotel Holberg in January 2007. Holberg is a quite large (140 guest rooms) lower mid-range hotel located in central Bergen - near Nykirken, a short (5-10 minute) walk from Torgalmenningen and the Fish Market. The hotel is situated near what will have to be described as the "red light district" of Bergen - but don't let that bother you too much, chances are you won't even notice this.

We had a standard twin / double room. Our room seemed somewhat dated, and it was a bit on the small side - the bathroom is particularly tiny. The sink / mirror is placed in a corner of the main room, instead of in the toilet / shower room (some of the rooms have tiny bathtubs) - and oddly enough, when you switch on the light in the bathroom the light by the sink in the bedroom is *also* turned on - which can be rather annoying at night...:op Our bedroom was clean, but the bathroom could use a good scrub. The maids also forgot to clean our room one morning. (!) The beds were rather narrow, but there was a good-sized work desk, and a table / small sofa.

Amenities included a TV (with a good selection of channels), a trouser press, hair dryer and a minibar.

A nice buffet breakfast is included in most room rates (75 NOK per person if not included, well worth that price). A very good selection of bread, rolls, crispbread and crackers, cold meats and cheese (and some local specialties, such as brunost (brown cheese - see my Norway page for more), various kinds of pickled herring - and *kaviar*, a sandwich spread made from smoked cod roe - more on my Norway page) cereals, yoghurt, fruit... some hot food (sausages, eggs, beans) is also available. Free coffee and tea available in the reception area all day.

A double room at Hotel Holberg costs from as low as ca 650 NOK (not including breakfast).

Unique Qualities: Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel - the connection is fast and reliable, but you have to get an access code (which only lasts 8 hours) from the reception to get online. There's also a computer available in the reception area.

You'll usually find the best deals on the hotel's own website. We booked through their website, and decided to stay an additional night. We asked the receptionist if we could extend the reservation, and was told that "sure, no problem" - but when we checked out, the rate for the last night had increased from 650 NOK to 900 NOK, and we were told that "internet reservations could not be extended". I was not impressed.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (+47) 55304200
Address: Strandgaten 190, Bergen
Directions: Near Nykirken.
Website: http://www.choicehotels.no/hotels/hotel?hotel=NO013
Other Contact: co.­holberg@choice.­no

I stayed at Hotel Admiral in December 2006. Admiral is a large (210 guest rooms) mid-range hotel nicely located by the harbour in central Bergen - some of the rooms have absolutely perfect views of the harbour and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bryggen, and if you fancy a swim in Vågen you could jump from some of the balconies straight into the sea...;o)

We had a standard double / twin room, which was quite small and seemed rather dated. Two comfortable beds, two armchairs and a small table, plus a work desk - be aware that the "double" rooms have two beds pushed together. Amenities included a TV with a good selection of channels, and a minibar. The bathroom was quite small. (No bathtub, shower only)

The room in itself was adequate, but the ventilation system didn't really seem to work *at all* - the air in our room was incredibly stuffy and damp...!

The hotel offers free WiFi - the connection is reliable and fast, but you have to go down to the reception to get an access code (which only lasts 8 hours, then you have to go and get another one...)

The buffet breakfast, served in restaurant Emily which has lovely views of the harbour, was very nice - a good selection of bread, rolls, crispbread and crackers, cereals, yoghurt, fruit, cheese and cold meats, and some local specialties such as various types of pickled herring...;op Also a limited choice of hot food (eggs, sausages, beans...).

A double room at Hotel Admiral usually costs from ca 900 NOK - which isn't much cheaper than, say, Hotel Marin - which I think is a much better choice of hotel! (But if you *do* decide to stay here, ask for a room on the waterfront!!)


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Phone: (+47) 55236400
Address: C. Sundts Gate 9, Bergen
Directions: By the harbour - a short walk from the Fish Market.
Website: http://www.choicehotels.no/hotels/hotel?hotel=NO037
Other Contact: cl.­admiral@choice.­no

Hotel Norge has been around since 1885, and the 345 rooms (13 suites & 50 business class rooms) are still quite popular with visiting celebrities. Many rooms are non-smoking, and several rooms have been specially equipped for disabled guests. The rooms are nice enough, even though some are rather small. Most of the rooms were renovated in 2006. We were upgraded to a Business Class room - which was very spacious and comfortable. You'll find all the usual amenities, and free wireless broadband connection is also available.

The buffet breakfast, included in most room rates, is very good - loads of different breads, cereals, fruit...and an excellent chance to try the famous Norwegian smoked salmon...;o)

There are a couple of restaurants and a bar at the hotel, as well as a health club with fitness centre, a small indoor swimming pool and a sauna. In the basement of the building you'll find one of the most popular night clubs in Bergen - Metro.

Ask for a room on the upper floors facing the park area around Lille Lungegårdsvann for a scenic view - the rooms facing Torgalmenningen might be a little noisy at night, especially during weekends when drunk and loud Norwegians stumble around the city's main square.

Prices for a double room usually start at around 1200 NOK, depending on the time of year. Check the web site, you might find a good deal - I've found double rooms for as low as 800 NOK.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: +47 55573000
Address: Ole Bulls Plass 4
Directions: Right in the heart of the city, on the southern end of Torgalmenningen - the city's large main square.
Website: http://www.radissonsas.com

This nice hotel has an excellent location, in a quiet street right in the city centre and within a few minutes walk from some of the city's main tourist attractions, like Bryggen, the Fish Market and the funicular. Our room was perhaps a bit small, but it had all the usual amenities, and it was clean and comfortable. Some rooms have a great view of the harbour and the Fish Market - ask for a room on the upper floors, and your chances of getting a room with a view are better. The staff at First Hotel Marin were very helpful & service minded.

An excellent buffet breakfast was included - it was one of the best hotel breakfasts I've ever had, but I have since heard others say that the breakfast room can get very crowded - and that the quality of the breakfast isn't that great anymore. (We stayed at First Hotel Marin in December 2004).

A great choice of hotel if you're not on a tight budget.

Prices:
single room around 1000 NOK,
standard double room around 1200 NOK - but check their website for deals, I've often found double rooms here for less than 1000 NOK.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: +47 53 05 15 00
Address: Rosenkrantzgaten 8
Directions: Near Bryggen, right in the city centre
Website: http://www.firsthotels.no/
Other Contact: booking.marin@firsthotels.no